Oded Nathan: When principals become developers
How Queenstown's housing forces schools to think like developers
From teacher retention to student wellbeing, the housing crisis has become an educational issue in Queenstown, forcing schools to think like developers. Oded Nathan is the principal of Wakatipu High School in Queenstown, New Zealand. Leading a diverse school community of over 1,400 students and 140 staff members, he brings a thoughtful perspective on education, community development, and the challenges facing one of New Zealand's fastest-growing regions. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to student wellbeing and a pragmatic approach to addressing the housing and staffing challenges that impact schools in high-growth tourism centres.
In this short interview, Oded discusses the extraordinary students and diverse community at Wakatipu High School, addressing common misconceptions about young people today. He provides candid insights into how Queenstown's housing crisis affects both students and staff, revealing that the school has already spent more on financial support for families in early 2024 than in all of 2023. Oded explores the practical challenges of staff retention and recruitment, with nearly 10 employees commuting from surrounding towns due to housing unaffordability. He also shares the school's proactive strategies for securing staff accommodation, from partnerships with local organisations to exploring land opportunities with developers, whilst reflecting on the broader question of what kind of community Queenstown wants to become.
